Man asks court to dismiss murder indictment in 1982 slaying

9/18/17 2:36 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island man whose 1991 murder conviction was overturned is asking a judge to dismiss the indictment before a retrial.

The Providence Journal reports that 64-year-old Raymond Tempest has asked a judge to dismiss the indictment in the 1982 death of 22-year-old Doreen Picard. A Superior Court judge had previously vacated Tempest’s conviction in 2015. The judge found that police and prosecutors suppressed key details about changed witness statements and failed to disclose evidence.

Lawyers representing Tempest claim Woonsocket police used manipulative interrogation techniques. Tempest also claims there was prosecutorial misconduct in his trial.

The state says Tempest’s claims about prosecutorial misconduct are “pure speculation and conjecture.” According to the state, another trial is needed.

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